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Sun Mar 06, 2016 7:10 pm

I always see the yakima brackets on the side (wide body or bronco) of the Westy top. Does anyone know of a reason not to use these "top Loader" brackets? seems to offer the aesthetic advantage of the track system but wouldn't distribute the load at all.

I plan on hauling two 17" touring kayaks over long distances. Is there a structural advantage to a side mounted bracket?

Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:46 pm

^^^ I can't answer your specific question, however, if you do end up going with the side mount ARGs (Artificial Rain Gutters) like most of us have, make sure you opt for the "wide" version not the thin/short version. The wide version has 4 bolts and disperses more weight than the thin 2 bolt version.

http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=&id=3193

2 bars works for many, but I prefer 3 bars. Consider your spacing carefully (your current needs vs. future needs). Also, you want your weight as far to the rear as possible. Many think weight should be in the middle, but this is incorrect. Of course, any cargo overhanging the rear could interfere with opening the rear hatch. Things to consider. :)

Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:52 pm

VWDiva wrote: I always see the yakima brackets on the side (wide body or bronco) of the Westy top. Does anyone know of a reason not to use these "top Loader" brackets? seems to offer the aesthetic advantage of the track system but wouldn't distribute the load at all.

I plan on hauling two 17" touring kayaks over long distances. Is there a structural advantage to a side mounted bracket?

2 reasons. Yes, the fiberglass is supposedly thicker on the sides.
The second reason is when mounted on the sides, the bolts don't penetrate the interior. No bolt heads to see on the inside and no potential for leaks

Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:14 am

VWDiva wrote:

I plan on hauling two 17" touring kayaks over long distances. Is there a structural advantage to a side mounted bracket?

With side mounting, the load is pushing down on the mounting bolts with a lot of fiberglass underneath.

With the load on top, it's pressing down on a thin sheet.

Fold a large index card in half, and make it stand on its edge. Press down on the top edge. You'll find it's pretty stiff.

Then hold the same card, still folded in half, flat between your finger and thumb. Press down in the middle, and see how it deflects easily.

Thu Mar 10, 2016 7:31 am

zak99B5 wrote: VWDiva wrote:

I plan on hauling two 17" touring kayaks over long distances. Is there a structural advantage to a side mounted bracket?

With side mounting, the load is pushing down on the mounting bolts with a lot of fiberglass underneath.

With the load on top, it's pressing down on a thin sheet.

Fold a large index card in half, and make it stand on its edge. Press down on the top edge. You'll find it's pretty stiff.

Then hold the same card, still folded in half, flat between your finger and thumb. Press down in the middle, and see how it deflects easily.

X2 on this....

Sun Sep 17, 2017 11:48 am

Bruce Wayne wrote:

can't remember the spacing. PDXWesty helped me with that,and more when I did my rack.

I'd like to set up my van like this. Does anyone know the height and width spacing for the artificial gutters?

Thanks,
Marty

Sun Sep 17, 2017 3:55 pm

Racks should be spaced 32" to 36" apart if you want to use standard attachments. Just mark and measure where you want the first bracket then measure 36" for the other. I use masking tape on the top laid down first and mark on the tape. Then mistakes aren't permanent. :wink:

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:16 pm

Thank you!
Any suggestion to the height? I'd like to go with three like in the photo so I can take my canoe. I'd use a high gutter mount foot just behind the cargo box before where the roof pops. So the gutter attachment being mounted needs to be located where the rack that sits on it is at the same height as the front.

Sun Sep 17, 2017 7:57 pm

I know it is a Bay but should help out with spacing ideas and all that.

I attached 3 sets of Thule ARGs to my pop top. The front bolt of the rearmost ARG is a shared hole with my pop top struts. The spacing of the others was based primarily on aesthetics... I think I ended up with 32 inch spacing between each set.

To decide what looked better, I tried a couple options. I attached the rear ARGs, then used large pieces of masking tape to color in black boxes for the two spacing options I was considering, and just went with what I liked the looks of better. One example below.

For my canoe, I keep the bars at the front and back. The kayak will ride at that spacing OK, but is a little better with middle and back. If I ever get a "roof coffin" or basket or anything like that, I'd use middle and back.

The stupid hole in the side is fixed now...

Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:02 pm

Sun Sep 17, 2017 10:40 pm

Aluminum, to be painted black.

Alistair

Tue Sep 19, 2017 4:33 pm

ragnarhairybreeks wrote:
Alistair

Breathtaking photo!

Wed Sep 20, 2017 2:51 am

Wed Sep 20, 2017 1:49 pm

I just realized I hadn't posted my roof rack setup.

These are Thule 387 towers on Yakima ARGs mounted in the side of the poptop. I'm carrying two Wilderness Systems Tempest 170 (17' long) kayaks, each weighing about 55lbs. We drove from Austin to Key West and back with this configuration without issues.

I've also used these racks to haul rowing shells:

Plus some big antenna arrays, and in the case of this past summer, a rooftop box full of mountaineering gear:

kourt

Sun Oct 22, 2017 7:58 pm

Never seen this roof rack set-up before.
Looks like some factory option!
Really nice for surfboards, windsurfs and stand-up paddle boards.

Anyone can make this picture bigger? Thanks!

Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:19 pm

No joke - I have had my 1A towers and bars for almost two years.

I am on the fence of having three or four bars.

Three bar looks nice. But I don't know if I can get away with only three bars.

I plan on having a 150w (maybe 100w) panel (always on vehicle), a road shower, cargo box, and depending on season a kayak holder or ski/board holder powderhounds. Looks like I'm going to have to get the measuring tape out.

Edit: nevermind I know how i'll do the road shower

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Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:28 pm

2 pairs of Gary Lee's roof racks with a 3/4" sheet of marine grade plywood & 1/8" diamond plate on it. The front 2 racks I found in a junkyard...

Very strong & low profile. I'm going to fabricate a folding tent on it for rooftop sleeping 8) It's also a great sunblock. Interior stays a lot cooler

Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:49 pm

pedrokrusher wrote: Never seen this roof rack set-up before.
Looks like some factory option!
Really nice for surfboards, windsurfs and stand-up paddle boards.

Anyone can make this picture bigger? Thanks!

This setup (shown in the ad with the dual surfboards) is actually what came with my rig. Attaching a few pics

Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:29 pm

Yakima A1 towers w/ basket

Tue Nov 14, 2017 11:34 pm